'Tis But a Flesh Wound

[Subdeacon Joe]

Gyantso Lama

 

After a firefight the Gurkha perimeter was broken and Japanese infantry poured through with three of the tanks.  ‘B’ Company, with Ganju, were ordered to counterattack and quickly came under heavy fire from both machine-guns and tanks, pinning them down. Ganju, manning the PIAT anti-tank gun, crawled forwards on his own to get into range and became the target of crossfire which hit him in the wrist and leg. Despite these injuries and a broken wrist, he opened fire on the tanks, destroying two of them. With the third tank also knocked out Ganju, still on his own, then advanced and engaged the escaping tank crews, killing or injuring them all and clearing a path for his company to advance.

 

 

 

Introduced in 1943, the Projector, Infantry, Anti-Tank, or PIAT was designed to provide improved anti-tank weaponry amongst British forces. Though heavy and cumbersome, the PIAT proved effective. In June 1944 Rifleman Ganju Lama of the 7th Gurkha Rifles used a PIAT during an action for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. He was able to destroy two Japanese tanks with the weapon, despite advancing alone and bearing injuries which made carrying the PIAT difficult. (Source: The Gurkha Museum)

 

As his VC citation says:

 

Not until he had killed or wounded them all, thus enabling his company to push forward, did he allow himself to be taken back to the Regimental Aid Post to have his wounds dressed.

 

Throughout this action Rifleman Ganju Lama, although very seriously wounded, showed a complete disregard for his own personal safety, outstanding devotion to duty and a determination to destroy the enemy which was an example and an inspiration to all ranks. It was solely due to his prompt action and brave conduct that a most critical situation was averted, all positions regained and very heavy casualties inflicted on the enemy.

[Chantry]

I'll add that the PIAT was well known for it's recoil and the difficulty in cocking it.  

[Sedalia Dave]